Delicious Boba Pearls: Craft Your Own Chewy Bubble Tea

Make your own boba pearls at home with this delicious recipe, offering customization and the perfect chewy texture for bubble tea.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Drying Time 4

Total Time 4 55

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Asian

Calories: 100

For the Pearls

1 cup Dark Brown Sugar Substitute with white sugar for milder taste.
1 cup Water Must be boiling for proper gelatinization.
1 cup Tapioca Starch Sifted for better mixing; can substitute with cassava flour.

For the Variations

2 tbsp Cocoa Powder Optional for black boba pearls; substitute with matcha powder for green.
2 tbsp Matcha Powder Can substitute with butterfly pea powder for blue pearls.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Homemade Boba Pearls

In a small saucepan, combine dark brown sugar with water and heat over medium-high heat. Stir until it reaches a gentle boil.
Remove from heat and whisk in the tapioca starch until a thick paste forms, then return to low heat for an additional minute.
Transfer dough to a clean work surface, incorporating any remaining tapioca starch until smooth but slightly tacky.
Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until elastic and less sticky, resembling play-dough.
Divide the dough, rolling each portion into strips and cutting into small squares, then roll each square into a ball.
Let the boba pearls dry for about 4 hours or use immediately, dusting with extra starch to prevent sticking.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pearls for 30-40 minutes until translucent and chewy.
While pearls rest, prepare sugar syrup by boiling equal parts brown sugar and water until thickened.
To serve, layer boba pearls in a glass with sugar syrup, add ice, and pour milk or tea over the top.

Serving: 1cupCalories: 100kcalCarbohydrates: 24gSugar: 15g

Freshly made boba pearls are best used immediately or stored in cold water with syrup; they can also be frozen for later use.

Let us know how it was!